Defender Goldson joins Brighton

DEFENDER Connor Goldson has joined Brighton & Hove Albion from League One Shrewsbury for an undisclosed fee.

The highly-rated 22-year-old centre-back passed his medical at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre yesterday, before he signed a four-year deal with the Seagulls.

Goldson was an integral part of the Shrewsbury side that secured promotion back into League One last season - making 51 appearances and contributing seven goals as the Shrews finished second in League Two.

Albion manager Chris Hughton said: “We are delighted to bring someone with Connor’s ability and potential to the club; at his age there is still plenty to come from him. We know he had a lot of admirers in terms of other clubs, so we are thrilled to complete the deal.

“He is predominantly a central defender, but he has also played in midfield and at right-back, and it is clear by his goal record last year that he can also contribute in that area too.

“I have no doubt, he has the talent to step up into the Championship after performing well in both League Two and League One.

“He has been a regular starter for Shrewsbury at such a young age and I think he has the temperament and quality for Championship football.”

Goldson started his career with Shrewsbury as a youngster and was awarded his first professional contract in 2010 at the age of 17.

He made his debut for the Shrews in February, 2011, at the age of 18, coming off the bench for the final 21 minutes of the side’s 5-1 win away at Lincoln City.

The defender added seven appearances to his tally during the 2011-12 season as the club achieved a second-place finish in League Two to secure promotion to the third tier of English football, ending the club’s 15-year absence from League One.

York-born Goldson made 17 appearances in 2012/13 as Town consolidated their position and scored his first career goal in a 3-2 win at Portsmouth in April 2013.

Goldson and Shrewsbury were unable to repeat the feat, tasting relegation back to League Two in 2013/14.

During that season the defender had a brief spell on loan with Cheltenham, but defensive injuries at his parent club saw him called back and he played every game for the remainder of the season.

He penned a contract extension with the Shrews in the summer of 2014, and played an importa0nt role as the club bounced straight back into League One as they secured automatic promotion in the 2014-15 season.

Goldson was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year and also scooped both Shrewsbury’s players’ player award and player of the year award for the 2014-15 campaign.

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